Probably adventive in Michigan from farther west. Not collected in the state before 1895 (at Grand Rapids, Kent Co.). Sandy disturbed ground, including dunes and shores, newly made roadsides, dumps and gravel pits, railroad ballast, river banks; rarely an agricultural weed.

Very distinctive in its sessile, flat, saucer-like or wheel-like winged fruits 3–4 (–5) mm broad and its sinuate almost holly-like leaves with sharp-tipped lobes. Young stems and leaves are ± loosely tomentose (sometimes glabrate). In the fall (September–October), the plant, especially the fruit, may become a rich purple-red, as in some other members of the family. The whole mature much-branched, dome-shaped plant is a fine tumbleweed.